The promoter of rodeos and concerts at the Pico Rivera Sports Arena has filed lawsuits against Councilman David Armenta and a former girlfriend, alleging they tried to “personally destroy” him and push him out of his job.

Armenta said the allegations are false and said all he’s ever wanted was the arena to operate to the highest standards.

His former girlfriend, Julia Rodriguez, who also used to work at the arena, denied the allegations and is countersuing for wrongful termination and wage violations. She also claims the promoter, Fernando Lopez, threw a chair at her.

Pico Rivera Councilman David Armenta speaks during the City Council meeting at City Hall in Pico Rivera, Calif. on Tuesday February 13, 2018. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)

Lopez and his company, La Noria Entertainment Inc., are suing the duo for defamation and infliction of emotional distress in connection to their alleged meddling in the affairs of the sports arena. The suit alleges that Armenta and Rodriguez spread lies about Lopez in an attempt to topple the arena’s multi-contractor management structure, which could financially cripple La Noria.

Lopez’s attorney originally filed the claims as one lawsuit in April, but the cases were essentially separated last month.

It’s unclear exactly what was Rodriguez’s role at the arena. Lopez’s suit claims she worked for him as a consultant and underhandedly worked to usurp him. In her countersuit, Rodriguez said she was an hourly employee who did clerical work.

The dispute started when Rodriguez allowed Armenta into Lopez’s office — the suit claims the visit is documented in a video Armenta posted on his own Instagram account, which is not publicly visible. This led to a confrontation between Rodriguez and Lopez after the promoter told Rodriguez she could not bring anyone into his office without permission — something that “incensed” her, according to the suit.

According to Lopez’s suit, Rodriguez in October said she was ending her work at the arena and informed Lopez’s assistant that she was “leaving and taking over” promotion at the arena. In her countersuit, Rodriguez said she was bilked out of the $10 to $25 hourly wage she was entitled to and not given breaks or overtime. When she complained, she was fired.

Politics, insurance policies and cocaine

After Rodriguez left her job, she and Armenta allegedly spread lies to unnamed people about Lopez, including that he used cocaine, had a gambling problem, was a poor businessman and sold alcohol to minors, according to the suit.

This was all part of an alleged scheme, the suit says, to end La Noria’s gig at the arena, which is part of a tree of contracts: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers owns the property and leases it to the city. The city sublets the arena to concessionaire LEBA Inc. La Noria promotes events at the arena as part of a contract with LEBA.

Employees at the arena are prohibited from using drugs on the premises and must follow all laws, such as drinking age requirements, as part of the contract between the city and LEBA.

Rodriguez also names LEBA in her countersuit.

Lopez’s suit alleges that Armenta was searching for a way to end LEBA’s contract and that he approached two other entertainment companies to take over operations of the event center.

In interviews, however, Armenta denied he is trying to push out LEBA or any other arena contractor.

“All their claims are political,” he said. “I’m trying to help correct things.”

Among those items needing correction is LEBA’s insurance coverage: Armenta said a young child was injured after falling from the arena bleachers about two years ago. The city’s insurance was left with a $700,000 bill after LEBA’s insurance paid out only $1 million — even though it was contractually required to carry insurance that would pay out $2 million in these instances, according to the councilman.

The contract between LEBA and the city stipulates that LEBA must hold harmless the city and federal governments in any injury claims. It states the company must have at least $2 million in liability coverage at all times.

Asked about the payout and Armenta’s involvement in the management of the Sports Arena, city spokesman Robert Alaniz provided a statement:

“The city of Pico Rivera has had a long and productive relationship with LEBA Inc., operators of the Pico Rivera Sports Arena. The city currently manages the contract with LEBA,” the statement reads. “And while the operator did not have adequate coverage at the time the incident in accordance their contract, they were notified and subsequently remedied the situation and now have adequate insurance coverage.

“With respect to the incident, the city’s insurance carrier made a business decision to cover the shortfall in the settlement which had no impact on the city’s operating budget.”

There was no answer at two phone numbers listed online for LEBA or at the arena’s number.

Armenta said his interactions with those running the arena have been appropriate. The contract states that the city manager has authority to enforce the contract and that he may be assisted by city employees and officers, all of whom may enter the premises at reasonable times to inspect operations.

“Everything I have done, I have done acting as a city council member for the benefit of the city,” Armenta said.

But Lopez’s lawyer, Charles L. Murray III, claims in the suit that Armenta’s alleged acts were “performed outside the scope of any official capacity.” Reached for comment, he referred a reporter to the court filings.

Chris Lindahl covers Pasadena, El Monte and Pico Rivera for the Southern California News Group. He previously wrote for the Cape Cod Times and Daily Hampshire Gazette in his home state of Massachusetts, where his coverage included higher education, marijuana policy and LGBTQ issues. He's reveling in the novelty of being able to hit the ski slopes and the beach in the same day, however impractical that might be.